for israel, israel for america. chose me. >> the prime minister was no stranger to this country himself. he has spent much of his childhood here. >> right. >> and growing up in philadelphia. >> he probably has more knowledge, firsthand knowledge of this country, its customs and culture and politics maybe than any previous in israel. >> he can it in english. that's how good he is. he went to m.i.t. and understands american -- he served as the second in command in washington, called the dcm, deputy ambassador and the ambassador at the u.n. >> you mentioned the elections that occurred in israel. it's kind of a close election. it was a squeaker, wasn't it? >> not for the primetime. >> no, but the division of power and the parties. >> there was a strong misconception in this country that the election was going to go one way, the radical right. they weren't looking at the whole spectrum of polls. >> so the result wasn't a surprise. the expectations were wrong? >> i thought -- i personally thought -- >> the news reported t

fears in israel i want to i can say with you do you see israel getting more and more involved in this conflict or will just go in as it were as it when it wants i don't. i don't think so it will be very foolish of freescale to make such attacks i have beat because after all strategically what's happening inside syria is helping israel syria it was and still is an enemy of fees web. and was a serious threat to israel and at the moment it almost doesn't exist nobody's asking israel to withdraw from the golan heights so in a way. this tragedy is quite a confortable situation for is we're in a march and how do you take a strike ok i mean in people in syria are being killed ok i mean that's one result . absolutely people in syria are being killed and that is exactly the problem certainly israel is taking advantage of a weaker syria now but the bottom line is it's striking weapons that may have been destined for hezbollah which could immediately turn around and use them against syrians so whether israel continues these foreigners into syria or not is almost irrelevant to the people of syria

and was a serious threat to israel and at the moment it almost doesn't exist nobody's asking israel to withdraw from the golan heights so in a way. this tragedy is quite a confortable situation for is we're in a march and how do you take a strike ok i mean when people in syria are being killed ok i mean that's one result. absolutely people in syria are being killed and that is exactly the problem certainly israel is taking advantage of a weaker syria now but the bottom line is that striking weapons that may have been destined for hezbollah which could immediately turn around and use them against syrians so whether israel continues these foreigners into syria or not is almost irrelevant to the people of syria because they're being attacked by their own government ok josh if i go back to it or is everyone forgetting the syrians now it looks like it's jockeying for position in the region it's everything's a proxy now joshua well things are proxy but as i said you know the assad regime has used scuds against its own people and i think that many syrians are standing up and applauding israel

we have two iranian subsidiaries-- one in the north of israel, one in the south of israel.h are equipped with missiles that can reach tel aviv. so i have no doubt in my mind that this facility is going to be used. no doubt. >> reporter: as awful as retaliation could be, in the cafes of jerusalem we found wide agreement that the prospect of a nuclear iran is much worse. >> that must be the last solution, but if we have to do it, we have to do it. >> the debate was not whether we should or not, but it was about the timing. i believe that there is unanimous understanding in israel that if the sword, so to speak, is on our throat, we have to act. we will not let this sword cut the throat. >> reporter: the two leaders will pick up that debate when mr. netanyahu visits washington in march, as israelis ponder the prospect of another tense year ahead. >> woodruff: margaret's next story examines the growing divide between israelis and palestinans nearly 20 years after the oslo peace accords. and you can continue to find a link to all of our reporting from israel, gaza and the west b

occupied by israel in one thousand sixty seven now imposing a buffer zone will make israel in the future to. negotiate over withdrawing from this buffer of their own zone rather than withdrawing from the golan an addition this is very similar to the attempt of israel in one nine hundred seventy eight to ok by and impose a buffer zone in south lebanon when it was the same claim that it wanted to defend its northern border. but i don't think that this claim by israel stands the real objective is to take advantage of the weakening. regime or of the situation now in order to hold on to the golan heights and also interesting the fact that this buffer zone will reach some what seventeen kilometers inside syria so this is a pretext as you say not just to assert its. presence there in the region but also perhaps to annex more territory more build more settlements a land grab definitely. definitely this is an attempt to annex more territories and it's at the same time and at them to threaten. the massacres itself because the we know that the syrian army has built its military doctrine based on th

and was a serious threat to israel and at the moment it almost doesn't exist nobody's asking israel to withdraw from the golan heights so in a way. this tragedy is quite a confortable situation for is we're in a march and how do you take a strike ok i mean in people in syria are being killed ok i mean that's one result . oh absolutely people in syria are being killed and that is exactly the problem certainly israel is taking advantage of a weaker syria now but the bottom line is that striking weapons that may have been destined for hezbollah which could immediately turn around and use them against syrians so whether israel continues these foreigners into syria or not is almost irrelevant to the people of syria because they're being attacked by their own government ok josh if i go back to it is everyone for getting the syrians now it looks like it's jockeying for position in the region it's everything's a proxy now joshua well things are proxy but as you've said you know the outside regime is you scuds against its own people and i think that many syrians are standing up and applauding i

he and prime minister much israel.inister netanyahu reportedly not had the most warm relationship. do you hope and think and even believe that part of the visit is to bring a new depth of understanding between these two leaders who need to be able to communicate. >> i want to believe because it is so much first of all necessary. it is it necessary that america and israel join hand and will be able to admit that the world, especially the region is not what some people in the first term in the white house thought it would be. so first, i think the president needs to come here with courage to open his eyes and reassess. we don't need any apology for mistakes which have been done. but we need understanding in the white house . that president obama is more mature and real estic and committed to the results and consequences of his policy. >> general, it is it a pleasure to have you here. god bless you and thank you. >> as the love birds across the globe celebrated valentine's day. on thursday, the main stream media love affa

israel knows. wants to take advantage of. weakening regime in syria to improve its strategic position specially in defense of its claim to the golan heights we know that the golan heights. occupied by israel in one thousand sixty seven now imposing a buffer zone will make israel in the future. negotiate over withdrawing from this buffer of their own zone rather than withdrawing from the golan in addition this is very similar to the attempt of israel in one thousand seven hundred eight to ok by and impose a buffer zone in south lebanon when it was the same claim that it wanted to defend its northern border. but i don't think this claim by israel stands the real objective is to take advantage of the weakening. regime or of the situation now in order to hold on to the golan heights and also interesting the fact that this buffer zone will reach some what seventeen kilometers inside syria so this is a pretext as you say not just to assert its. presence there in the region but also perhaps to annex more

and was a serious threat to israel and at the moment it almost doesn't exist nobody's asking israel to withdraw from the golan heights so in a way. this tragedy is quite a confortable situation for is we're right people are in a march and how do you take a strike ok i mean in people in syria are being killed ok i mean that's one result . absolutely people in syria are being killed and that is exactly the problem certainly israel is taking advantage of a weaker syria now but the bottom line is that striking weapons that may have been destined for hezbollah which could immediately turn around and use them against syrians so whether israel continues these foreigners into syria or not is almost irrelevant to the people of syria because they're being attacked by their own government ok josh if i go back to it or is everyone forgetting the syrians now it looks like it's jockeying for position in the region it's everything's a proxy now joshua well things are proxy but as you've said you know the outside regime as you scuds against its own people and i think that many syrians are standing up

we're coming to you from tiberius in israel.hanks to my israeli crew and those folks back in new york to make it it happen. i've lost track of how many times i've been to israel. it's over 20, i think. but i know why i keep coming back. i know how i felt when i came here 40 years ago this summer when i was all of 18. the israelites spent 40 years in the wilderness under moses and the past 40 years haven't been in the wilderness, for the tiny speck of real estate about the size of new jersey. i've watched the dry bones coming to life and watched the desolate and barren desert bloom with lush vegetation and tall trees and marveled to see a tiny besieged nation, barely able to equip soldiers with uniforms and weapon to be an economic weapon of high-tech innovation, a center of worldclass medical care, energy exploration and educational excellence and an oasis of fro speech, with the exception of jordan, dictators, terrorists and the mad dogs and malicious mayhem surround this country, while israel created a true and modern democrac

today's news in the week's top stories on israel suggests it was behind this week's . attempts to mediate peace in a meeting with the syrian opposition. president claims french troops will stay long as necessary to root out the insurgency amid mounting accusations of war crimes by forces. between the government of the opposition in egypt where protests demanding the resignation of the president. and rage on for another week. the past seven days top stories and the latest developments this is the weekly here on. the syrian president bashar al assad says his army is able to confront any aggression aimed against his nation he also says israel is trying to destabilize the country and softer comments made by the israeli defense minister ehud barak today hinting for the first time that his forces were behind this week's attack on its northern neighbor. as the details. it does come from the israeli defense minister it would be broke and he has said that it is proof that when israel says something it means that he did stop short of actually a third israel's involvement now u.s

or being ok with the policies that israel has developed to use force coercively whenever wherever it wants along its borders or with its within its own population palestinian population under its control when the problem is the united states backs it and so this is the contradiction he was back at the same time it calls for democracy in all those countries and so that's what rings hollow i think for many arab and muslim populations is that it's not a real call for the by the united states for democratization what the united states is just trying to do is so chaos and civil war like we're doing in syria we're not really trying to get democratization in syria or political participation in syria it's selling chaos and destruction i think that's how many people see it and that's how it is unfolding what do you think israel is going to do next what is their strategy with regards to iran i think they have more or less come to the position that. if you rod is going to be struck it's the united states that's going to need to do it and so i fully anticipate over the next next year or so that

today's news in the week's top stories on israel suggests it was behind this week's airstrike near damascus attempts to mediate peace and a meeting with the syrian opposition. president claims french troops will stay in mali as long as necessary to root out the insurgency amid mounting accusations of war crimes by mali and forces. and there's no sign of compromise looming between the government of the opposition and egypt where protests demanding the resignation of the president turned violent and rage on for another week. back at the palace seven days top stories and the latest developments this is the weekly here on. the syrian president bashar al assad says his army is able to confront any aggression aimed against his nation he also says israel is trying to destabilize the country the comments made by the israeli defense minister ehud barak today hinting for the first time that his forces were behind this week's attack on its northern neighbor. as the details. it does come from the israeli defense minister it would be rogue and he has said that it is proof that when israel says something

from tiberuous, israel..k.k.k. [ shapiro ] at legalzoom, you can take care of virtually all your imptant legal matters in just minutes. protect youramily... and launch your dreams. at legalzoom.com we put the law on your side.

the security of israel is a commitment that we made to israel in 1948 when israel was born under american leadership. harry truman. that commitment was -- is a bond that is more than just allied to outside. -- more than ally to ally. it is special, historical. i have never equivocated from bat line. i have said this in my book. absolutely we will continue to do that. >> thank you very much. >> we are going to have a five- minute second round. and if we need a third round, we will have a third round. i will try to take less than five minutes, so i can yield a couple of minutes if i still have them to center in off. earlier today, one of my colleagues made a statement i you had not responded to requests for copies of all of your speeches and to a request about contributions to certain organizations, i believe, the u.s. either served or spoken to. you did not have the opportunity that you either serve or spoken to. you did not have the opportunity to respond to that time. if you wish, you may respond for the record. >> mr. chairman, thank you. i will respond for the record. as far as i know,

and israel. and i am personally committed to israel's security and identity as a jewish state. when we met earlier i was pleased to hear you agree and also support a two-state solution and oppose any unilateral declaration of a palestinian state. we also discussed the need for a strong military and intelligence engagement between the u.s. and israel. just last fall i was in israel and i have spoken with senior military officials from both countries and i have continually heard the ties between our military and our intelligence organization has never been stronger. if confirmed, do you intend to maintain this close relationship and do you have any idea for how we can further strengthen this coordination? >> well, i once again reaffirm the commitment that i made to you, to this committee. i absolutely support the continuation and the strengthening of our relationship with israel. as has been noted before in my book. a chapter i have on israel. i talk about the special and historic relationship betw

syria's president warns of possible retribution after israel strongly against israel's behind the cross border and strike close to damascus. the spanish prime minister visits germany for e.u. budget to look for a brief response from the economic crisis and corruption scandal engulfing him back home. and france carries out a series about strikes in northeastern mali and the questions over the leadership and direction of french president francois hollande. international news and comments live from moscow this is our team with me hello and welcome to the program first president bashar al assad says syria can take on any force that got fun and said while accusing israel of trying to destabilize his country it was assad's first public statement since an alleged israeli air strike inside syria last week israel's defense minister has given the strongest indication yet that the i.d.f. was behind the toc ati's point to sleep reports hours. it does come from the israeli defense minister it would be broke and he has said that it is proof that when israel says something it means that he did stop sh

it will speak with the association for civil rights in israel. then we look at the controversial side of the drug war, the informants. >> it can be such a dangerous proposition. we have seen terrible tragedies in this area. young people killed the, the contact with the criminal- justice system in ways they not have otherwise done had they not a pressure by the government to become informants. it is a concern for many families around the country. >> in 2007, rachel hoffman was arrested for drug possession. to avoid prison, she became a police confidential informant. she was murdered in a botched undercover operation. we will speak with her mother margie weiss. >> making the world a safer and better place so this never happens to any more of our children. as long as i am alive, i will keep her spirit alive. >> we will also speak with new yorker reporter sarah stillman who just won a polk award for her keys, "beef throwaways -- "the throwaways." all of that and more coming up. this is "democracy now!," democracynow.org, the war and peace report. i'm

now we are hearing from syria that israel did launch a military strike inside their country israel has not commented neither confirming nor denying these reports the syrian ambassador to lebanon did say that it was not clear when ever tell you would happen and that it was up to the powers that be to decide on such decisive action but he did say that it was an option and that it was and would be a surprise now the iranian foreign minister has also stated that this israeli attack has serious implications for the israeli city of tel aviv and those are indeed quite harsh warnings what we understand from syria from syrian sources is that the israelis hit a research center not far from the capital city of damascus and that at least two on site workers were killed there are also reports that the strike hit a convoy of weapons that was making its way from syria to lebanon and now washington reportedly was warned by israel of its intention to strike inside syria this kind of comment coming from a high ranking american official who has spoken on condition that he not be named it is important to

that while the united states strongly supports israel and is an ally of israel and it will defend israel that the united states has a broader interest in the middle east and that. he the president obama. is. pursuing broad long term american interests in establishing a stable order in the middle east one of the issues that people are criticizing haydel for where a lot of the criticism actually comes because of some statements he made in the past namely i am a senator from nebraska not from israel the jewish lobby how do you think that will affect his nomination well i think his statement that he is the senator from nebraska from israel will actually be very positive for him. i think i think most americans will say yeah that's right he should be the senator from nebraska not from israel of course there will be those supporters of israel who interpret it in a negative way but i think on balance that will be a pause a positive i think his comment about the jewish lobby. because of ursule i don't think it will stop his nomination. but it would have been better if he had said the israel who b

syria's president warns of possible retribution after israel strongly against israel's behind the cross border and strike close to damascus. a spanish prime minister visits germany for e.u. budget to look for a brief response from the economic crisis and corruption scandal engulfing him back home. and france carries out a series about strikes in north eastern mali and the questions over the leadership and direction of french president francois long. ago and. international news and comments live from moscow this is all t.v.'s me hello and welcome to the program first of president bashar al assad says syria can take on any force that can find said while accusing israel of trying to destabilize his country it was assad's first public statement since and alleged israeli airstrike inside syria last week israel's defense minister has given the strongest indication he gets that the i.d.f. was behind the toc on his point to sleep reports hours. it does come from the israeli defense minister a good bloke and he has said that it is proof that when israel says something it means that he did stop s

syria's president warns of possible retribution after israel truly hanes holes behind a closed border as strike close to damascus. the spanish prime minister visits germany for the budget talks a brief response from the economic crisis and corruption scandal engulfing him by. us from russia and around the world this is all she was me. and everyone welcome to the program first of francois send its military to and the fish to strengthen security at one of the country's biggest uranium mines president as president i should say says efforts are being made to avoid a similar situation to last month's hostage crisis in neighboring algeria the french military campaign has been in northern mali which is several hundred kilometers from the original mining site the senate is operating by french mining giant a major player in a country which is the world's fifth largest producer of uranium was heavily dependent on nuclear power for its domestic energy so it makes up nearly seventy percent of the total sonia also so discontent among mine workers last year who protested against the working conditi

israel is not such a such an innocent party in all this i mean that. they occupied the lands of all their neighboring. states they go into lebanon and bomb and strafe they they they dissed they killed people in gaza palestinians in gaza and they do interfere in iraq as well as there was seymour hersh of the famous american jordan a sort of deal that israeli agents. go through iraqi kurdistan and to iran to conduct some but objectivity is and gather intelligence. as part of their effort to to maybe in future attack attack iran their role in syria is now quite clear with a with a bomb or a bombing. yesterday or the day before yesterday and to and to syria so israel is a very close ally of the united states it's a forward military base practically for the united states and it is playing also a poisonous role in the region. the united gentlemen gentlemen if you don't get into one and i want mayor to be able to reply please do not jump in please do well in terms of israel having a close relations with the united states absolutely sammy says this is the lync

i mean, the president has problems with israel.see what is happening the rise of radical islamists around the world. he knew this would be a controversial nominee, unilateral disarmament, iran and israel -- why? why would obama pick him? can you make a guess here? >> i think first of all the president shares his views or doesn't have a problem with his views which raises another set of issues. secondly, you've got to assume that the president isn't paying too much attention. look what has happened in the last 24 hours. iranians have been asked if they are going to significantly increase the number of centrifuges they are using. you've got new threats from al-qaeda both against the united states homeland and interests overseas. two days ago the israelis had to take action against a convoy that was carrying russian made missiles to hezbollah. you have a world that is increasingly dangerous and chuck hagel shows he is not up to the task. >> sean: great insight. thanks for being with us. >>> thank you. >> sean: up next -- >> in the eve

a statement that implies that they won't jump at israel's command most of them will jump at israel's command you can see any time miserables the resolution it passes almost unanimously. anytime there's a vote that has to do with israeli interest it passes almost unanimously so there's really it's impossible to be a member of an ice age trying to assist and remain in the congress if you oppose israeli interests or you even sure that you have independent faults about what about israeli interests so that's what hagel did and he showed that he wasn't the complete puppet that he had some independence of mud and this is not tolerable to the israel lobby. all right thank you very much for your thoughts on the subject appreciate you with your experience on this thanks for being with us here on r.t. . and still to come this hour for you libya prepares to mark the second anniversary of the uprising that toppled gadhafi. preparations including setting up roadblocks across the country and nato forces gathering in the capital as the number of those protesting against the new government increase.

the week's top stories on the latest news on our team at a security conference in germany israel hence its forces were behind the airstrike on an arms transport near damascus at the same time gathering russia tends to mediate peace by meeting with syria's main opposition groups for the first time. military operation in mali will go on as long as necessary according to france's president despite the growing number of reports government troops are engaged in war trying war crimes. herminator revolution egypt back in crisis as the deadly clashes return to haunt the country streets is that was in the stage countrywide protests demanding president morsi resign. and the bolshoi theatre is artistic director says he's certain who's behind the acid attack that his doctors are fighting to save his sight. two am in moscow by mattress i bring you today's top stories and a look back at the week's news here on r t president assad says the syrian military can take on any force that confronts it while accusing israel of trying to destabilize the country it was assad's first public statement since isra

at a security conference in germany israel hints its forces were behind the airstrike on an arms transport your damascus. military operation in mali will go on as long as necessary according to france's president this despite the growing number of reports government troops are engaged in the war cry as a. permanent revolution in egypt and back in crisis as deadly clashes returned to haunt the country's streets as thousands staged nationwide protests demanding president morsi step down. and the bolshoi theatre is artistic director says he's certain who's behind the assets act but as doctors fighting to save his sight. seven am in moscow i'm not trying to bring you today's top stories and a look back at the week's news here on our t.v. we begin tonight in syria where the military can take on according to the president assad any force that confronts it accusing israel of trying to destabilize as a nation it was assad's first public statement since israel reportedly struck an arms convoy inside the war torn country wednesday this after the israeli defense minister gave the strongest indication

in the region that challenges to significantly constrain both the united states and israel as preferred strategy for the region which is to project force whenever wherever and whatever degree we want unilaterally the islamic republic of iran challenges that not with tanks so that they go and park their tanks in other people's countries they challenge that with their narrative they. pose that viscerally at its core chuck hagel said some very unflattering things about these trade lobby that they're quote unquote intimidating a lot of people in washington and also they are to say american interests should trump is three of the interests if they conflict and that is a subversive thing to say here in washington could be a career killer can you name some key points where u.s. and israeli interests conflict i think it is very much in america's interests it's not a favor to iran it is in america's interests to come to terms with the islamic republic to accept safeguarded enrichment of uranium as the basis for a deal on the nuclear issue israel's ability to impose its hegemony in gaza or souther

i think this is also a message by israel to iran indicating that israel is not willing to accept any deals. >> is that why israel has attacked? >> there is no knowledge of why exactly israel attacked last night rather than a week ago or a week later. i think the new government in the making wants to make clear that they will continue policies towards the region, and it is a clear message towards iran and also towards russia. >> what about the united nations' clear criticism of israel's settlement activity? >> israel will continue to ignore this decision. so will the united states. they will continue to back israeli policies in the occupied territories, but nevertheless, there is a certain change of attitudes to be observed in western countries. more and more criticism coming along with israeli settlement policies, and i think israelis feel the heat. you might even interpret this action we have just seen in syria and the rhetoric in israel about the perceived iranian threat as a means to really distract from this business in the west bank of building one settlement after the other. >>

or being ok with the policies that israel has developed to use force coercively whenever wherever it wants along its borders or with its within its own population palestinian population under its control and the problem is the united states backs it and so this is the contradiction he was back at the same time it calls for democracy in all those countries and so that's what rings hollow i think for many arab and muslim populations is that it's not a real call for the by the united states for democratization what the united states is just trying to do is so chaos and civil war like we're doing in syria we're not really trying to get democratization in syria or political participation in syria it's selling chaos and destruction i think that's how many people see it and that's how it is unfolding what do you think israel is going to do next what is their strategy with regards to iran i think they have more or less come to the position that if you lot is going to be struck it's the united states that's going to need to do it and so i fully anticipate over the next next yours so that prim